Set off and enjoy the beautiful surroundings in Ter Borg. Choose one of the walks and discover this special nature reserve. Here you’ll find space to unwind and, in the silence, hear the birds singing. Be sure to look around you, as you’ll come across plenty along the way. Admire, for example, the Scottish Highland cattle or the Theater van de Natuur’. There’s also a schaapskooi on the edge of the area. The flock roams freely through the area, so there’s a good chance you’ll come face to face with one of the sheep. In spring, this is the ideal spot to enjoy watching the lambs frolicking happily.
A varied landscape
At times, it feels as though time has stood still in this area. Old farmhouses, a 17th-century schaapskooi, small fields and hedgerows take you back in time. Ter Borg was once largely made up of heathland. In the 1970s, work began on developing Ter Borg as a nature reserve. Now, whilst walking, you can encounter as many as seven different landscapes, such as deciduous woods, fens and coniferous forest. But the heathland remains the area’s main attraction. It is, after all, the largest contiguous area of heathland in the province of Groningen.
Sheep and lambs
On the outskirts of Ter Borg stands a beautiful old schaapskooi dating from the 17th century. The schaapskooi is no longer used for the flock, but you are welcome to pop in and have a look around. The flock of Drenthe heath sheep can be found on the heathland, enjoying the great outdoors. If you go for a walk, there’s a good chance you’ll come across the flock somewhere. In spring, the lambs frolic happily amongst the other sheep, basking in the spring sunshine. It’s a wonderful sight, and with the nature reserve as a backdrop, it certainly creates that ultimate spring feeling. They aren’t the only inhabitants of this area, mind you. As well as many breeding birds, you’ll also find a herd of Scottish Highland cattle here.
“ ‘As if time has stood still’ ”
Walking routes
Two lovely walking routes have been mapped out, allowing you to easily explore the Ter Borg area:
5 km – Take the green route and walk 5 kilometres through the woods and across the heath. This route is suitable for everyone. You’ll walk along both tarmac and unpaved paths.
8 km – This 8-kilometre route takes you through the various landscapes this area has to offer. The route passes the ‘Theatre of Nature’. This rotating artwork gives you the chance to view the landscape in different ways. The steps leading up to this viewing hill are inscribed with poems.
Several routes from the Routebureau Groningen also pass through the area:
14.7 kilometres - The land around the hamlet of Ter Borg was long owned by the family of the same name. They wanted everything here to stay as it was. The route leads through this old land, but also through the new land near Laudermarke.
16.7 kilometres- This route takes you along unpaved sand and mowing paths through an area that was partly inhabited as early as prehistoric times. You start in Sellingen after which the route takes you through different landscapes.
